Domestic Injuries among Children Under 7 Years of Age in Iran; The Baseline Results from the Iranian First Registry

To investigate epidemiological aspects of injuries among Iranian children under 7 years of age using obtained data from a national registry.
Injury data were derived from a national-based injury supervision system during 2000–2002. This registry involved all of home-related injuries for children less than 7 years of age that treated in health or emergency centers. The study population included 25% of Iranian people. The descriptive statistical methods were used for representing the distribution of the variables like age, sex, injury mechanisms, types of injuries, etc. Data were presented as mean ± SD and proportions as appropriate.
Of the total 307,064 domestic injuries registered during 2000–2002, 77,500 cases (25.2%) were children. 70% of these children (54581 cases) were in age group of 1-5 years.
The large fraction (58.8%) of injuries among children under 7 years of age went back to burn injuries. Cuts and lacerations were at the second level with 17.4%. 51% of injuries had contact with hot liquids. Of all children under 7 years of age injuries, 282 died, 86 were disabled, while the rest improved or being under treatment when recording data.
Injuries, particularly burns (especially those who had contact with hot liquids that led into scald), are major public health problem that children under 7 years of age encounter. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide adequate plans to promote children under 7 years of age safety issues.